CAUTION URGED ON PLANT RESTART

Onofre operator trying to shortcut NRC review process, Boxer warns

U.S. lawmakers urged caution in evaluating plans for the restart of the San Onofre nuclear plant, in a letter Tuesday to the nation’s top nuclear safety official.

Sen. Barbara Boxer accused San Onofre plant operator Southern California Edison of attempting to shortcut the regulatory review process as it seeks to restart one of the plant’s two reactors at partial power, in a letter to the chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Edison submitted a license amendment request Friday to the nuclear commission that would include a finding of “no significant hazard” — potentially exempting its proposal from a more extensive review.

“Edison’s request to weaken its license requirements was made despite evidence showing that there could be a significant hazard from the operation of the deficient steam generators,” the Democratic senator from California wrote. “The NRC must complete its expansive investigation and safety review before making any preliminary or final decision regarding a license amendment that could enable the restart.”

Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., also signed the letter. Boxer is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, which provides oversight of the nuclear commission.

Edison and industry consultants contend that operating the San Onofre Unit 2 reactor at lower power should dampen destructive vibrations among tubes within recently replaced steam generators. But it must first address provisions of the plant license that ensure safe operations over “a full range of operating conditions.” Edison’s amendment would lower temporarily the reactor’s range to 70 percent of its capabilities.

The plant has been shut down since January 2012, when a generator tube carrying radioactive water sprang a leak.